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The Korea Times

By Baek Byung-yeul
Giant panda Fu Bao is one of the stars of an upcoming documentary.
Hello, Grandpa traces Fu Bao’s journey, from her birth at Everland, an amusement park in Yongin, South Korea, to her permanent relocation to China earlier this year, with a focus on her relationship with Kang Cheol-won, the zookeeper who raised her.
In particular, the film chronicles the three months leading up to Fu Bao’s separation from Kang, including the panda’s daily routine.

The film is a documentary with animated scenes mixed in – a first in Korea, according to its production company Acomz.
Born in July, 2020, Fu Bao is the first giant panda born through natural breeding in Korea. Her parents, Ai Bao and Le Bao, had been sent by Xi Jinping in 2016 as a symbol of friendship between China and South Korea.
Fu Bao became a nationwide sensation during the Covid-19 pandemic, with many Koreans visiting Everland and watching videos about her.
In accordance with an endangered species conservation agreement that stipulates loaned pandas from China and their offspring be returned to China before they reach the age of four, Fu Bao left Korea in April and is now at the Wolong panda reserve in China’s Sichuan province.
Kang expressed hope that the film will offer comfort to those experiencing difficulties or a sense of emptiness in their lives.
I hope the movie will offer comfort to those who need it
Kang Cheol-won, zookeeper
“I’m currently taking care of pandas Rui Bao and Hui Bao after sending Fu Bao off and I think the Bao family has had a significant impact not only on us but on many people,” he said.
“Many people found courage, hope and a new life after meeting Fu Bao during difficult times and I was concerned that emptiness or sadness might return as Fu Bao departed to China.
“I hope the movie will offer comfort to those who need it, change perceptions for those unfamiliar with the Bao family, and become a lasting tribute that ensures the Bao family is remembered for years to come.”
Adding to the film’s emotional depth, Kang’s mother died the day before Fu Bao left for China. “It felt as though the sky was falling,” he said.
Despite his grief, Kang chose to accompany Fu Bao as planned. “My brothers reassured me that my mother would understand my need to go to China despite not being able to attend the funeral.”
I think the animated segments play a role in the fairy tale story of Kang the zookeeper and Fu Bao
Shim Hyung-joon, director of Hello, Grandpa
The film’s director, Shim Hyung-joon, said it depicts the bond between the panda and her caretakers well.
“The interaction between the zookeepers and the panda and the planned separation, I think it’s a very heartwarming story,” Shim said.
The director added that the animated scenes were used to more naturally convey the relationship between the panda and zookeepers.
“I think the animated segments play a role in the fairy tale story of Kang the zookeeper and Fu Bao,” Shim said.
Hello, Grandpa is scheduled to hit cinemas in South Korea on September 4.
Read the original story at The Korea Times.


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Lifestyle

Entertainment

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Film & TV

Hello, Grandpa tells the story of Fu Bao, a giant panda born in South Korea, the ‘fairy tale’ bond with her keeper and departure for China


Documentary Hello, Grandpa, a mix of live-action and animated scenes, tells the story of Fu Bao, a giant panda born in South Korea, her bond with her zookeeper and her bittersweet relocation to China.


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South Korea

Korea Times